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Potentially Bright Comet C/2026 A1 Approaches Solar Encounter

3/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

C/2026 A1 (MAPS) may become visible from Earth if it survives its close solar approach on April 4.
Discovered on January 13, 2026, by French astronomers in Chile.
The comet is a Kreutz sungrazer, similar to historical bright comets.
Observations from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) will capture the passage from April 2 to 6, 2026.

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Story summary

C/2026 A1 (MAPS) may become visible from Earth if it survives its close solar approach on April 4.
Discovered on January 13, 2026, by French astronomers in Chile.
The comet is a Kreutz sungrazer, similar to historical bright comets.
Observations from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) will capture the passage from April 2 to 6, 2026.